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| Failed asylum seekers' free NHS | |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Failed asylum seekers in Wales will now be given free health care - unlike their counterparts in England. | Failed asylum seekers in Wales will now be given free health care - unlike their counterparts in England. |
| The Department of Health in England is taking legal action to restrict free access to the NHS to this group. | The Department of Health in England is taking legal action to restrict free access to the NHS to this group. |
| Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart's spokesman said it was the mark of a civilised society but the Tax Payers' Alliance said it was open to abuse. | Welsh Health Minister Edwina Hart's spokesman said it was the mark of a civilised society but the Tax Payers' Alliance said it was open to abuse. |
| The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) said it was "delighted" the vulnerable would be protected. | The Welsh Refugee Council (WRC) said it was "delighted" the vulnerable would be protected. |
| The WRC said it gave a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity. | The WRC said it gave a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity. |
| Previously, the Welsh assembly had passed regulations to introduce charging for secondary healthcare for refused asylum seekers. | Previously, the Welsh assembly had passed regulations to introduce charging for secondary healthcare for refused asylum seekers. |
| The regulations, which meant charges for all forms of secondary care, except treatment provided in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, were passed in April 2004. | The regulations, which meant charges for all forms of secondary care, except treatment provided in accident and emergency (A&E) departments, were passed in April 2004. |
| The minister believes that the mark of a civilised society is the way in which it treats all of its people, particularly the sick and dying Welsh Assembly Government spokesman for Edwina Hart | The minister believes that the mark of a civilised society is the way in which it treats all of its people, particularly the sick and dying Welsh Assembly Government spokesman for Edwina Hart |
| The latest decision by Ms Hart comes amid turmoil about the policy in England, where a test case in front of the High Court last month has left the position of failed asylum seekers and their access to the NHS uncertain. | The latest decision by Ms Hart comes amid turmoil about the policy in England, where a test case in front of the High Court last month has left the position of failed asylum seekers and their access to the NHS uncertain. |
| Until then, free health care was cut off for all failed asylum seekers in England and Wales. | Until then, free health care was cut off for all failed asylum seekers in England and Wales. |
| The Department of Health in England is currently appealing against the ruling in a test case, which said there were some circumstances in which failed asylum seekers could get free access to NHS treatment. | The Department of Health in England is currently appealing against the ruling in a test case, which said there were some circumstances in which failed asylum seekers could get free access to NHS treatment. |
| Church leaders | Church leaders |
| An assembly government spokesman said: "The minister believes that the mark of a civilised society is the way in which it treats all of its people, particularly the sick and dying. | An assembly government spokesman said: "The minister believes that the mark of a civilised society is the way in which it treats all of its people, particularly the sick and dying. |
| "She has also discussed this matter with church leaders in Wales. | "She has also discussed this matter with church leaders in Wales. |
| "This is why she intends to make changes to the legislation to allow failed asylum seekers to receive NHS treatment free of charge because she believes it is the right thing to do. | "This is why she intends to make changes to the legislation to allow failed asylum seekers to receive NHS treatment free of charge because she believes it is the right thing to do. |
| "She has therefore asked officials to draw up a timetable for making these proposed changes." | "She has therefore asked officials to draw up a timetable for making these proposed changes." |
| Anna Nicholl, director of policy for the Welsh Refugee Council said: "This gives a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity and will be applauded by the wide coalition of groups who have been campaigning for these changes." | Anna Nicholl, director of policy for the Welsh Refugee Council said: "This gives a clear message that all people in Wales should be treated with a basic level of humanity and will be applauded by the wide coalition of groups who have been campaigning for these changes." |
| But Matthew Sinclair, a policy analyst with the Tax Payers Alliance said the new policy could be open to abuse. | |
| "What we have got to ask is if we set up a system whereby someone can come to Britain, claim asylum, fail then receive treatment - this sets up a massive incentive for people to try and come here," he said. | |
| "The easiest thing is to come here, destroy their documents in transit so that they cannot be sent back and this creates a massive potential for abuse." |